Texas Rangers infielder Cody Freeman will be sidelined at least four-to-six weeks with a fracture in his lower back, manager Skip Schumaker announced on Saturday.

The timeline is a bit of a crunch given there are only five weeks remaining until the Rangers open the season against the host Philadelphia Phillies on March 26.

Freeman, 25, was expected to challenge for a utility role this season with Texas.

"Obviously, he wasn't thrilled with the news," Schumaker said, per the Dallas Morning News. "He's going to be out a little bit. But he's the type of kid that he will get something out of this rehab. I know it's tough for him, but it's not like he's not part of the plan moving forward. He's going to help us at some point during the season."

Freeman batted .228 with three homers and 15 RBIs in 36 games last season with the Rangers.